The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has denied that as many as 1,000 of its agents are being transferred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
CNN reported on March 22 that acting ATF Director Kash Patel, who is also FBI director, was preparing to move the ATF agents and cut ATF’s workforce by a third. This included sending a couple of hundred agents to deal with border security.
“ATF routinely initiates surge operations in cities across the country facing significant increases in violent crime,” he said. “These targeted operations are a proven strategy to disrupt criminal activity, apprehend offenders, and support local law enforcement efforts.”
Michael said that further details about the change will be released “at a later date.”
“ATF plays a critical role in supporting State and local law enforcement by tracing guns used in crimes, helping with criminal investigations, and providing training on a variety of topics, such as detecting machinegun conversion devices,” they wrote.
“We need to ensure that this partnership with State and local law enforcement is strengthened and not undermined by weak leadership and partisan staffing purges.”
The ATF move would not be the first time that Patel has mentioned a major personnel shuffle.
Shortly after becoming FBI director last month, Patel said he intended to move as many as 1,000 agents from Washington to field offices.
“Director Patel has made clear his promise to the American public that FBI agents will be in communities focused on combatting violent crime. He has directed FBI leadership to implement a plan to put this promise into action,” the FBI said in a statement.
